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D.J. Short

Baseball Daily Dose

Daily Dose: On Your Mark

After getting Curtis Granderson back from the disabled list last week, the Yankees' lineup is poised to receive another nice boost in the near future.

Mark Teixeira went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk Monday in a simulated game in Tampa, Florida. It was his first game action since he suffered a torn tendon sheath in his right wrist in early March. The 33-year-old first baseman recently said that he hopes to be back from the disabled list by June 1, which seems a bit on the optimistic side since the Yankees will likely want him to get a bunch of at-bats in official rehab games, but there's a chance he could be ready early next month if he can avoid setbacks.

It will be interesting to see what version of Teixeira we'll see upon his return, as his batting average has been on the decline for a while now and wrist injuries can do a number on a player's power, but he's still a must-own in mixed formats. Somehow he's only owned in 67 percent of Yahoo! leagues right now, so go ahead and stash him if he's still out there in yours.

After leading the American League with 51 saves last season and going 14-for-14 in save chances to begin this season, Orioles' closer Jim Johnson has been anything but automatic recently.

Johnson blew his third straight save chance in Monday's loss to the Yankees, giving up a game-tying solo homer to Travis Hafner with one out in the ninth inning. The 29-year-old right-hander has now allowed eight runs on nine hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings over his last three appearances, with his ERA ballooning from 0.95 to 4.22 on the year. He's the first pitcher since 2011 to blow a save in three straight appearances.

Johnson doesn't get as many swings-and-misses as your prototypical closer, which leaves him vulnerable to potential blow-ups, but there's nothing to suggest that his job is in immediate jeopardy. Still, if you are in the mood to speculate, Darren O'Day might be the best alternative. While the 30-year-old sidearmer has uncharacteristically walked nine batters in 20 2/3 innings this season, he quietly owns a 2.16 ERA in 90 appearances dating back to the start of 2012.

Gibson Coming Soon?

The Twins demoted left-hander Pedro Hernandez on Monday and called up left-hander Caleb Thielbar. While Thielbar is a really cool story (he was pitching for the independent St. Paul Saints back in 2011), fantasy owners should be paying close attention to the repercussions of the transaction.

Now that Hernandez has been booted to the minors, the Twins will need to add a starter for Friday's game against the Tigers. There's no official announcement yet, but top prospect right-hander Kyle Gibson just so happens to line up to pitch that day.

Gibson, who is now fully recovered from his 2011 Tommy John surgery, owns a 3.25 ERA and 46/14 K/BB ratio in 52 2/3 innings over nine starts this season with Triple-A Rochester. The 25-year-old has shutouts in two out of his last three starts and is more than deserving of a promotion. Of course, the Twins could potentially go with P.J. Walters or Sam Deduno and delay Gibson's major league debut until June.

Assuming Gibson gets the call, I'd be hesitant to go with him right away given the tough first matchup, but he should definitely be on your radar in mixed leagues. He should already be owned in AL-only formats.

National League Quick Hits:Clayton Kershaw gave up one run Monday in a complete-game win over the Brewers and now owns a 1.35 ERA through 10 starts … Bryce Harper (knee) was hitless in four at-bats Monday in his return to action ... Cole Hamels struck out 10 batters Monday against the Marlins, but he dropped to 1-7 on the year after allowing two runs in six innings … Johnny Cueto (lat) returned from the disabled list Monday and allowed three runs in five innings … Aroldis Chapman bounced back from back-to-back blown saves with a perfect ninth inning Monday against the Mets … Patrick Corbin gave up one run and struck out 10 in a complete-game victory over the Rockies on Monday and now sits at 7-0 with a 1.44 ERA … Corey Hart ran on the field and took batting practice Monday for the first time since knee surgery and could be ready for a rehab assignment next week … Jayson Werth (hamstring) suffered a setback and could be sidelined for another two weeks … Julio Teheran held the Twins to one run over 8 1/3 innings Monday and has a 2.41 ERA over his last five starts … Ryan Howard received a cortisone shot in his left knee on Sunday and is considered day-to-day … David Freese was scratched from Monday's lineup after he received stitches along the base of his right thumb Sunday … Carlos Ruiz was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain of his right hamstring and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks … Ryan Vogelsong suffered a fractured right hand Monday when he was hit by a pitch by swinging the bat … Marlins manager Mike Redmond said Monday that he is prepared to use "everybody" in the closer role … Ross Detwiler reported improvement in his back Monday and hopes to make his next start … Brandon Belt went 4-for-5 with a solo homer and four runs scored Monday vs. the Nationals ... Michael Cuddyer (neck) will play in extended spring training games on Tuesday and Wednesday and is expected to be activated from the disabled list Friday … Jaime Garcia (shoulder) is scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews on Tuesday … Cardinals' prospect outfielder Oscar Taveras (ankle) is expected to return to action with Triple-A Memphis by the middle of this week … The Dodgers activated Ted Lilly from the disabled list Monday and plan to move him back into the starting rotation … The Phillies placed right-handed reliever Mike Adams on the 15-day disabled list with a right back strain … Eric O'Flaherty will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on his elbow Tuesday …

American League Quick Hits:R.A. Dickey won his second straight start Monday by holding the Rays to three runs (two earned) over a season-high eight innings … Salvador Perez left Monday's game against the Astros due to discomfort in his right hip after he ran into a post while chasing after a foul pop up … A.J. Pierzynski (oblique) is expected to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday … Andrew Bailey was activated from the disabled list Monday, but Red Sox manager John Farrell doesn't plan to use him on back-to-back days for the time being … Tom Wilhelmsen committed a fielding error for his first blown save of the season Monday against the Indians … Rangers manager Ron Washington said Monday that Jurickson Profar and Leury Garcia will split playing time at second base while Ian Kinsler is sidelined … Shane Victorino left Monday's game with left hamstring tightness and is considered day-to-day … Josh Willingham hit his first home run since April 29 in Monday's loss to the Braves … Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer in Monday's win over the Red Sox and has 13 RBI in 16 games this month ... Josh Reddick (wrist) will attempt to take batting practice Friday … Alex Rodriguez (hip) fielded grounders and took 25 swings in an indoor batting cage Monday in Tampa … Colby Lewis allowed two runs over 2 1/3 innings Monday in a rehab start with Double-A Frisco and acknowledged that his velocity isn't where he wants it to be … Stephen Drew (back) went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in his return to action Monday … Bartolo Colon allowed two runs in seven innings Monday in a win over the Rangers ... Brett Myers (elbow) will make his second minor league rehab start Wednesday with Double-A Akron … Jake Odorizzi was called up from Triple-A Durham on Monday and allowed three runs over five innings against the Blue Jays … Yan Gomes clubbed two homers -- including a three-run walkoff blast -- in Monday's win over the Mariners in 10 innings … The Blue Jays called up speedy outfielder Anthony Gose on Monday, but he isn't expected to be used as an everyday player … The Rangers designated Derek Lowe for assignment …

After getting Curtis Granderson back from the disabled list last week, the Yankees' lineup is poised to receive another nice boost in the near future.

Mark Teixeira went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk Monday in a simulated game in Tampa, Florida. It was his first game action since he suffered a torn tendon sheath in his right wrist in early March. The 33-year-old first baseman recently said that he hopes to be back from the disabled list by June 1, which seems a bit on the optimistic side since the Yankees will likely want him to get a bunch of at-bats in official rehab games, but there's a chance he could be ready early next month if he can avoid setbacks.

It will be interesting to see what version of Teixeira we'll see upon his return, as his batting average has been on the decline for a while now and wrist injuries can do a number on a player's power, but he's still a must-own in mixed formats. Somehow he's only owned in 67 percent of Yahoo! leagues right now, so go ahead and stash him if he's still out there in yours.

After leading the American League with 51 saves last season and going 14-for-14 in save chances to begin this season, Orioles' closer Jim Johnson has been anything but automatic recently.

Johnson blew his third straight save chance in Monday's loss to the Yankees, giving up a game-tying solo homer to Travis Hafner with one out in the ninth inning. The 29-year-old right-hander has now allowed eight runs on nine hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings over his last three appearances, with his ERA ballooning from 0.95 to 4.22 on the year. He's the first pitcher since 2011 to blow a save in three straight appearances.

Johnson doesn't get as many swings-and-misses as your prototypical closer, which leaves him vulnerable to potential blow-ups, but there's nothing to suggest that his job is in immediate jeopardy. Still, if you are in the mood to speculate, Darren O'Day might be the best alternative. While the 30-year-old sidearmer has uncharacteristically walked nine batters in 20 2/3 innings this season, he quietly owns a 2.16 ERA in 90 appearances dating back to the start of 2012.

Gibson Coming Soon?

The Twins demoted left-hander Pedro Hernandez on Monday and called up left-hander Caleb Thielbar. While Thielbar is a really cool story (he was pitching for the independent St. Paul Saints back in 2011), fantasy owners should be paying close attention to the repercussions of the transaction.

Now that Hernandez has been booted to the minors, the Twins will need to add a starter for Friday's game against the Tigers. There's no official announcement yet, but top prospect right-hander Kyle Gibson just so happens to line up to pitch that day.

Gibson, who is now fully recovered from his 2011 Tommy John surgery, owns a 3.25 ERA and 46/14 K/BB ratio in 52 2/3 innings over nine starts this season with Triple-A Rochester. The 25-year-old has shutouts in two out of his last three starts and is more than deserving of a promotion. Of course, the Twins could potentially go with P.J. Walters or Sam Deduno and delay Gibson's major league debut until June.

Assuming Gibson gets the call, I'd be hesitant to go with him right away given the tough first matchup, but he should definitely be on your radar in mixed leagues. He should already be owned in AL-only formats.

National League Quick Hits:Clayton Kershaw gave up one run Monday in a complete-game win over the Brewers and now owns a 1.35 ERA through 10 starts … Bryce Harper (knee) was hitless in four at-bats Monday in his return to action ... Cole Hamels struck out 10 batters Monday against the Marlins, but he dropped to 1-7 on the year after allowing two runs in six innings … Johnny Cueto (lat) returned from the disabled list Monday and allowed three runs in five innings … Aroldis Chapman bounced back from back-to-back blown saves with a perfect ninth inning Monday against the Mets … Patrick Corbin gave up one run and struck out 10 in a complete-game victory over the Rockies on Monday and now sits at 7-0 with a 1.44 ERA … Corey Hart ran on the field and took batting practice Monday for the first time since knee surgery and could be ready for a rehab assignment next week … Jayson Werth (hamstring) suffered a setback and could be sidelined for another two weeks … Julio Teheran held the Twins to one run over 8 1/3 innings Monday and has a 2.41 ERA over his last five starts … Ryan Howard received a cortisone shot in his left knee on Sunday and is considered day-to-day … David Freese was scratched from Monday's lineup after he received stitches along the base of his right thumb Sunday … Carlos Ruiz was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain of his right hamstring and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks … Ryan Vogelsong suffered a fractured right hand Monday when he was hit by a pitch by swinging the bat … Marlins manager Mike Redmond said Monday that he is prepared to use "everybody" in the closer role … Ross Detwiler reported improvement in his back Monday and hopes to make his next start … Brandon Belt went 4-for-5 with a solo homer and four runs scored Monday vs. the Nationals ... Michael Cuddyer (neck) will play in extended spring training games on Tuesday and Wednesday and is expected to be activated from the disabled list Friday … Jaime Garcia (shoulder) is scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews on Tuesday … Cardinals' prospect outfielder Oscar Taveras (ankle) is expected to return to action with Triple-A Memphis by the middle of this week … The Dodgers activated Ted Lilly from the disabled list Monday and plan to move him back into the starting rotation … The Phillies placed right-handed reliever Mike Adams on the 15-day disabled list with a right back strain … Eric O'Flaherty will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on his elbow Tuesday …

American League Quick Hits:R.A. Dickey won his second straight start Monday by holding the Rays to three runs (two earned) over a season-high eight innings … Salvador Perez left Monday's game against the Astros due to discomfort in his right hip after he ran into a post while chasing after a foul pop up … A.J. Pierzynski (oblique) is expected to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday … Andrew Bailey was activated from the disabled list Monday, but Red Sox manager John Farrell doesn't plan to use him on back-to-back days for the time being … Tom Wilhelmsen committed a fielding error for his first blown save of the season Monday against the Indians … Rangers manager Ron Washington said Monday that Jurickson Profar and Leury Garcia will split playing time at second base while Ian Kinsler is sidelined … Shane Victorino left Monday's game with left hamstring tightness and is considered day-to-day … Josh Willingham hit his first home run since April 29 in Monday's loss to the Braves … Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer in Monday's win over the Red Sox and has 13 RBI in 16 games this month ... Josh Reddick (wrist) will attempt to take batting practice Friday … Alex Rodriguez (hip) fielded grounders and took 25 swings in an indoor batting cage Monday in Tampa … Colby Lewis allowed two runs over 2 1/3 innings Monday in a rehab start with Double-A Frisco and acknowledged that his velocity isn't where he wants it to be … Stephen Drew (back) went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in his return to action Monday … Bartolo Colon allowed two runs in seven innings Monday in a win over the Rangers ... Brett Myers (elbow) will make his second minor league rehab start Wednesday with Double-A Akron … Jake Odorizzi was called up from Triple-A Durham on Monday and allowed three runs over five innings against the Blue Jays … Yan Gomes clubbed two homers -- including a three-run walkoff blast -- in Monday's win over the Mariners in 10 innings … The Blue Jays called up speedy outfielder Anthony Gose on Monday, but he isn't expected to be used as an everyday player … The Rangers designated Derek Lowe for assignment …